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Former Tampa Police Officer Finds Job Security In Numbers

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 21, 2008

TAMPA - John Armao doesn't carry a gun to work anymore, but that's fine with him.

Four days after retiring as a Tampa police officer because of a career-ending injury, Armao came back on the beat, so to speak, working as a civilian crime analyst at the police department.

He runs reports on crime statistics for District 1, covering South Tampa, and also crunches data on crime trends.

"Everything's going pretty good," Armao, 41, said Wednesday. "It's a little culture shock, but I don't feel different. I still feel like a cop."

In May 2007, Armao accompanied other officers and a bail bondsman to 711 N. Castle Court to arrest Kevin Dexter Hunter, 38, a felon sought on charges of weapons possession and aggravated assault. Hunter was hiding in a closet and came out shooting, police said.

A .44-caliber Winchester bullet ripped through Armao's right cheek, then shattered a bone and damaged a muscle in his right shoulder. Hunter shot himself a few minutes later, police say.

The bullet scarred Armao's right cheek and left him unable to lift his right arm over his head. In April, a doctor told him his arm was at "maximum medical improvement," words that alarmed the 18-year department veteran.

Police department policy requires officers on light duty to return to full duty or take a pension within 12 months from the date they are declared at maximum medical improvement.

This year, Armao said he dreaded leaving the career he loved. Plus, he needed to keep working. Although he said his pension would give him about $3,800 a month, his retirement would leave his family, which includes his wife and two daughters, without adequate health insurance.

Before Armao retired July 24, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said the agency hoped to find a job for him because he was the kind of officer others admire and the department hates to lose.

At that point, Armao was working light duty in the crime analysis unit in what was supposed to be a temporary vacancy. When the job later opened up, he applied. He started as a civilian in the unit July 28.

He's glad not only to be employed but happy to help his former colleagues, Armao said. "Being a cop, you kind of understand what they need."

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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